Weaknesses: None, except for maybe the weight compared to aluminum or composite frames.

Bottom Line:

Bought the frame to build a weekend singletrack bike. Ended up with one of the best bikes I've ever put together even at half the price of some others. This frame is great! Its just unfortunate that Bianchi is no longer making this frame/bike anymore. I highly reccomend this frame especially for the price.

Those little steel tubes work great! I had a Salsa Bandito frame built with the same parts. What a world of difference. I have much more control and a smoother ride. Too bad people stopped buying nice steel hard tails. I'd say the frame is almost as nice as my IF was at about 80% of the price. If you find one, you should buy it!If you are into big drops - get something elseIf you are into pedaling in the woods, this frame will make you happy.

Strengths: Very stiff Hardtail steel frame. Great components for the price. Pretty lightweight for the price.

Weaknesses: Crappy seatpost. Deore front derraillur.

Bottom Line:

It would be hard to find a better bike even for two or three hundred dollars more. The steel frame is fantastic and the best choice for serious bikers. Aluminum frames don't compare. I've upgraded the rear deraillur to XT and put a Thomson seatpost on and people keep commenting that it looks like $2000 bike!

Weaknesses: The paint chips easily. I keep finding new chips on every trail ride (comming from small rocks flying off between tire threads during downhill ride). Not happy with the stock set up, but will soon upgrade.

Bottom Line:

I just started mountain biking 3 months ago. I can't believe the difference when I tried the Denali. I was able to keep up with my biking buddies climbing and going downhill. I became a "mtb" addict after purchasing the bike. Is it the bike? Could be. I will soon find out with the new Full Suspension I'm thinking of buying several weeks from now.

Weaknesses: paint job has scrachted a decent amount, but i guess that means im really using it

Bottom Line:

the bike is really nice. light, fast and strong. i test rode alot fo different hardtail bikes, and this one by far felt the best for being light and fast, but also strong and solid. it has brought me to alot of different trails and gotten me into mountain biking with it. prob not the cheapest, but a really nice bike. im going to be using as my transportation too while im living in and around honolulu, so good for bombing aorund the city as well as the trail

Strengths: Great ride for the price. Steel feels so much better than aluminum any day of the week. Avid mechanical discs stop on a dime and the Marzochi fork absorbs the trail like a sponge. Bike feels lite for it's class with Deore LX strung throughout.

Weaknesses: Not a big fan of the Wierwolf tires in the damp, which is all we have here in Michigan anymore.

Bottom Line:

Can't beat the feel of Italian steel and style, especially for the price. I changed out the stock pedals with my Shimanos and swapped saddles to a Selle Italia. Riser bars are taking some getting used to but by far the best ride I've had for awhile. Cross country riders and racers will love this and you can always upgrade to XTR as parts wear out for an even lighter feel.

Strengths: STEEL frame that will outlast all the components, which are still very nice for the price. Marzocchi MX pro O) Very rigid but forgiving frame, climbs beautifully. Weirwolf tires seem to stick to the ground. Nice geometry. Brakes stop on a dime(Avid BB mech, got 2003 MTBR choice review for a reason, WTB has outdone themselves with the entire wheel setup.

Weaknesses: Nothing to complain about yet. Time will tell. Someone complained about where the cable router was located on the top tube, which is odd to complain about because it's located on many bikes. It's not an issue for me.

Bottom Line:

WHAT A STEEL! Best hardtail stock frame & components under $1000, which is probably why the MSRP is higher on bianchiusa. Steel feels better than AL to me, at least test ride it. See if you notice a difference. I'll tell you more later after I try it with my SPD shoes. This bike's probably going to blow me away! 10 chilis all around, this is one hot bike for an even hotter deal. Hopefully the last hardtail frame I'll ever need.

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